Puri: In view of resentment among the devotees over the exorbitant and arbitrary pricing of Mahaprasad (cooked food) being sold by the suaras (cooks) of the Jagannath Temple in Puri, the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has decided to introduce ‘Thali System’.
This was decided at a meeting between Suara-Mahasuara Nijog and the SJTA chief administrator Pradipta Mahapatra here on Tuesday.
Briefing mediapersons after the meeting, Mahapatra said henceforth the Suaras cannot charge arbitrarily for the Mahaprasad as the thali (plate) system would be implemented with three slab rates. The thalis will be available for Rs 70, Rs 80 and Rs 120.
“The Mahaprasad thali to be sold at Rs 70 will have plain rice, dal, and two curries. The thali to be sold at Rs 80 will have the two additional curries while the thali to be sold at 120 will have kanika, khiri, purified butter rice and four curries,” he added.
He also said that rate chart of the Mahaprasad with its photo will be put up at Baisi Pahacha, Ananda Bazaar and the four gates of the temple for the devotees. Besides, the Suaras have been told not to put up tarpaulins and polythene sheets at Ananda Bazaar as they spoil the beauty of the temple, he added.
The meeting also decided that the Suaras will take the temple kitchen for a one-year lease. Besides, steps would be taken to ensure that no non-servitor is allowed to sell Mahaprasad inside the temple. There will be quality test of the Mahaprasad and restriction will be put on the sale of stale Mahaprasad, Mahapatra added.
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